There are just four round churches left remaining standing in a complete state in the United Kingdom,
Many more round churches once stood across the United Kingdom.
Across medieval Britain, a remarkable group of churches was constructed in a circular form, inspired by one of Christianity’s holiest buildings: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, traditionally believed to stand over the place of Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection. These unusual churches began appearing during the 12th century, when the Crusades and pilgrimage to the Holy Land brought the architecture and religious significance of Jerusalem to the attention of western Europe. Unlike the conventional rectangular churches familiar throughout Britain, these buildings featured a circular nave, often surrounded by an ambulatory and supported internally by substantial stone columns and rounded Norman arches.
It is traditionally believed that approximately twenty medieval round churches once stood in Britain, although the precise number remains uncertain, with some historical surveys identifying fewer examples. Today, just four survive in England with their historic circular naves substantially intact: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Northampton, the Holy Sepulchre in Cambridge, Temple Church in London and St John’s Church at Little Maplestead in Essex. Each represents a rare surviving example of a once more widespread architectural tradition, and each has its own fascinating history.
Why were these churches built?
The circular design was closely associated with Jerusalem and the Christian belief in Christ’s resurrection. Some were founded by wealthy Norman patrons and religious communities, while others belonged to the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller, the military religious orders established during the Crusading period. For the Templars in particular, circular churches reflected the sacred architecture of the Holy Land and provided distinctive places of worship within their English estates and preceptories. However, not every round church belonged to the military orders. The Holy Sepulchre in Northampton, traditionally founded around 1100 AD by Simon de Senlis, was a parish church rather than a Templar foundation.
What happened to Britain’s lost round churches?
Over the centuries, many of these remarkable buildings disappeared. Some were demolished and replaced by larger, more conventional churches as congregations and religious requirements changed. Others fell into disrepair following the suppression of the Knights Templar in 1312 or the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the 16th century. In some cases, their circular naves were demolished while later additions survived; elsewhere, entire religious complexes disappeared beneath farmland, streets and subsequent buildings.
Yet these churches have not been entirely forgotten. Archaeological excavations, medieval documents, historic drawings and surviving stonework have helped historians identify the locations and reconstruct the appearances of several lost examples. In some places, foundations remain beneath the ground; in others, a surviving tower, fragment of masonry or unusual churchyard boundary provides the only visible reminder of a once-impressive medieval building.
Rediscovering the Lost Round Churches
Through the map and historical records below, we invite you to explore the locations of Britain’s lost round churches, discover who founded them, learn what happened to them and find out what, if anything, remains to be seen today. From forgotten Templar preceptories to churches that disappeared centuries ago, their stories reveal a fascinating chapter of Britain’s medieval religious and architectural heritage.
Although many of the buildings themselves have vanished, their history survives, and each site offers another connection to the people, faith and extraordinary architecture of medieval Britain.
List of the Lost Rounds
To View the exact locations of the lost round churches listed below, and visit them for yourself, click on the map above, and the Green arrow to view further details:
- PRIORY Of St John of Jerusalem LONDON
- C1144 Round Church Lost – Crypt Survives
- Chapel of St Mary Magdalene LUDLOW
- C1130 Round Nave Survives within the Castle Non religious
- ST Clements West Thurrock ESSEX
- 12th Century – Round foundations visible underneath existing Church Religious Services
- ST James Church ASLACKBY
- C1164 – Now Lost
- TEMPLE BRUER LINCOLNSHIRE
- C1140 – Archaeological remains
- TEMPLE CHURCH BRISTOL
- C1128 – Archaeological remains survive
- HOLY SEPULCHRE CHICHESTER
- 12th Century – Now Lost
- TEMPLAR ROUND CHAPEL DOVER
- 12th Century – Archaeological remains
- ST GILES HEREFORD
- 12th Century – NOW LOST
- St Michaels GARWAY
- C1185 – Remains exposed beside present church
- Round chapel Woodstock Palace OXFORDSHIRE
- 12th Century – LOST
- OLD TEMPLE HOLBORN
- C1140 – Archaeological remains exist
